Dogwood

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

Giant dogwood, a fast-growing deciduous tree that reaches 30 to 50 feet in height, eventually displays attractive horizontal branches clothed in large, 5- to 8-inch long leaves, dark green above and silver/green beneath, which turn a lovely red color in the fall. In the middle of springtime, the trees produce a multitude of flat, white clusters of bloom in dense cymes up to 5-inches across. These blooms are followed by showy, blue/black berries which are quite attractive to birds and other wildlife. The branching pattern is more upright in youth, spreading as it grows.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

This small, spreading, deciduous tree has 1- to 5-inch-long, olive green leaves with paler undersides. During the summer months, roughleaf dogwood produces many off-white, four-petaled, open flowers, and these are followed by many small, round fruits which ripen from August to October. Roughleaf dogwood forms a dense thicket of intertwined branches, making it ideal for use as a hedge, border, or as a cover for wildlife. At least forty species of birds are known to feast upon the fruits.

Edward F. Gilman, Deborah Hilbert, Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan Klein, Andrew Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, andDrew C. McLean

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

The state tree of Virginia, flowering dogwood grows 20 to 25 feet tall and spreads 12 to 15 feet. This is one of the most popular red-flowered cultivars. It is usually trained as a picturesque multi-trunked tree. The flowers consist of four bracts that subtend the small head of yellow flowers. The bracts are deep red and very striking. The fall color is usually bronze and the bright red fruits are often eaten by birds.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

The state tree of Virginia, flowering dogwood grows 20 to 35 feet tall and spreads 25 to 30 feet. This cultivar has tri-colored leaves with yellow and light green markings. Leaves turn mostly green during the summer in the southern part of its range. The tree can be trained with one central trunk or as a picturesque multi-trunked tree. The flowers consist of four bracts which subtend the small head of yellow flowers. The bracts are white and have a fall color of red to pink.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

The state tree of Virginia, flowering dogwood grows 20 to 35 feet tall and spreads 25 to 30 feet. It can be trained with one central trunk or as a picturesque multi-trunked tree. The flowers consist of four bracts which subtend the small head of yellow flowers. The bracts are red and fall leaf color is red to purple. Fall color is more vivid in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8a. Branches on the lower half of the crown grow horizontally, those in the upper half are more upright. In time, this can lend a strikingly horizontal impact to the landscape, particularly if some branches are thinned to open up the crown. Lower branches left on the trunk will droop to the ground, creating a wonderful landscape feature. The bright red fruits are often eaten by birds.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

The state tree of Virginia, flowering dogwood grows 20 to 35 feet tall and spreads 25 to 30 feet. This cultivar appears to be well adapted to USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9. It can be trained with one central trunk or as a picturesque multi-trunked tree. The flowers consist of four bracts which subtend the small head of yellow flowers. The bracts are white and larger than the species. The fall color is red to maroon. Fall color is more vivid in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8a. The bright red fruits are often eaten by birds.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

The state tree of Virginia, flowering dogwood grows 20 to 30 feet tall and spreads 20 to 25 feet. It can be trained with one central trunk or as a picturesque multi-trunked tree. The flowers consist of four bracts which subtend the small head of yellow flowers. The bracts are a light pink, and fall color depends on seed source but on most sun grown plants will be red to maroon. Fall color is more vivid in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8a. The bright red fruits are often eaten by birds. Branches on the lower half of the crown grow horizontally, those in the upper half are more upright.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

Kousa dogwood grows 15 to 20 feet tall and has beautiful exfoliating bark, long lasting flowers, good fall color, and attractive fruit. Branches grow upright when the tree is young, but appear in horizontal layers on mature trees. The crown eventually grows wider than it is tall on many specimens. It would be difficult to use too many Kousa dogwoods. The white, pointed bracts are produced a month later than flowering dogwood and are effective for about a month, sometimes longer. The red fruits are edible and they look like a big round raspberry.

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Edward F. Gilman, Edward F. Gilman, andDennis G. Watson
Other Contacts: Michael G. Andreu

Walter Dogwood is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 30 to 40 feet in height and width. The two to five-inch-long leaves are dark green and are joined in June by the small white flowers arranged in two to three-inch diameter cymes. The blossoms are followed by the production of small black fruits which are popular with birds and other wildlife. Walter Dogwood is probably best known for the alligator-like bark on older specimens, even more so than Flowering Dogwood. Young specimens have an upright branching habit giving way to an open spreading habit.